cookie's corner

Locks of Love

2008-12-29T19:56:00.003-05:00

Annabelle decided several months ago that she wanted to grow her hair out so she could donate it to the Locks of Love program. Many times I threatened to chop it all off before it was ready but ...WE FINALLY MADE IT!!!! She was so nervous getting it cut but she was a trooper. Who am I kidding? I was nervous too!!! When the first cut happened I'm pretty sure my heart stopped. After we were all done I asked her if she liked it and she said kinda...her head felt too light, but other than that yes because she looked fantastic....I'm so proud of her for wanting to help others in need. She already said she's not getting it cut again until it's long enough to be donated. She looks so stinking adorable...I hardly recognize her. Her biggest fear was that she was going to look like a boy. I have assured her that is not the case! She is so grown up now...yikes!

Best Present EVER!

2008-12-24T16:49:00.002-05:00

I've been dreading this Christmas like never before. It would have been the first time ever that I would not have had Annabelle on Christmas day. I can't imagine what that would have been like. I realize that she is only 6 and I spent 24 Christmas' before that without her, but once you have a child they're suppose to be with you on the holidays! Thankfully, at least for me, Dane messed up! He thought he was suppose to have her today, so he scheduled his whole day around that. In reality I was suppose to have her today and he was to have her tomorrow. Needless to say he wanted to keep her. So, that means I get her tomorrow--yea!!!! I told him that the only way we could switch was if Greg and I could keep her overnight and all day Friday because we had already planned to go to Carson. Dane's "mess up" turned out to be the BEST Christmas present for me ever!

Drinking Bowl?

2008-12-14T21:13:00.004-05:00

Oliver discovered a new bowl for drinking out of.....

Standing the tree up

2008-12-14T20:59:00.009-05:00

Standing our tree up is always an adventure! If I was a normal person I would settle for a normal size tree, but I always want the tallest and fattest I can find. This year we actually got the tree wrapped so it was a little easier to get in the house. But the trunk is very very crooked, so getting it to stand was a bit of a challenge. Greg tied fishing line to the wall and to our corn burner...oops so it isn't the best tree we have ever had. Annabelle went crazy taking pictures while Greg, my mom, and I worked on the tree. (All complaints about the quality of the picture should be directed to her Susan: )

Semi standing...

Standing...

A little crooked...(note the 2 tops)

Tying on some fishing line...

Tree Cutting

2008-12-14T20:41:00.005-05:00

On Friday night Greg, Annie, and I went to our normal place of cutting down a tree only to find out that they are closed this year. So, we tried a new tree farm, Cramer's in Haslett. Every tree I liked split and was two trees at the top...not so great for placing an angel on. Unfortunately, we arrived there right as they were closing so Greg hurried me along. Our tree is not exactly perfect, but it's ours just the same.

Annie trying to jump in the picture as Greg cut the tree down!

Loaded in the truck to take back up to the front of the farm.

All wrapped up!

The man who owns the tree farm was ill on Friday so Greg had the pleasure of holding the tree while it was on the shaker, wrenching it into the wrapper thingy and then cranking it through! Aside from having to load it the first time, unload to measure it (10 ft.) and wrap it and then load it again! He definitely got his work out! Good thing he loves us :)

Annie and Ollie

2008-12-07T10:19:00.002-05:00

Annie and Ollie having a rare moment of liking each other....

A,B, C, 's of Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T09:07:00.003-05:00

This week in the devotional I am doing it challenged me to write a list of things I am thankful for using the alphabet. It was actually a little more difficult then I thought it would be, but at the same time, it was a lot of fun. So here is what I came up with:

A-Annabelle, my daughter
B-the availability of Books
C-Children in the daycare
D-God's provision of Deer Meet
E-the ability to Exercise
F-my Family & Friends
G-Gregory, my husband
H-Hugs & Kisses
I-my In-laws
J-birth of Jesus
K-Kyle, my brother
L-being Loved
M-my Mom
N-being a Newlywed
O-Oliver, our dog
P-Mrs. Proctor, Annie's teacher
Q-Quality time with Greg and/or Annabelle
R-ability to Read
S-Scrapbooking
T-opportunity to Teach preschool
U-Unbelievable husband and daughter
V-my Volleyball team
W-our Wood burner
X-my "X"cellent boss, Suzi Slater
Y-Youthfulness
Z-Zillions of everyday moments

Beluga

2008-11-22T20:55:00.005-05:00

Beluga is the nickname I have come up with for our 1 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Oliver. He now weighs over 90 pounds--yep you read that right! Hence the name, Beluga, as in Beluga Whales. Here is a cute picture Greg took of him today that I just couldn't resist sharing :)

Silver Bells

2008-11-22T20:28:00.004-05:00

Last night was the annual Silver Bells parade and lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the capital. This is the first year that I have ever been to it. Normally, I would have had volleyball practice. (Thank goodness the sport seasons have changed!) My sister-in-law claims it was the coldest it had ever been. She even took a picture of the temperature. Regardless of the cold, I thought it was pretty cool. Greg's parents, Kevin, Susan, Allison, Ben, Greg and I all went. We had a great spot right on Washington St. to see the parade go by. Ben and Ken got cold so they went to New York Burrito to warm up and eat....surprise, surprise. Afterward, we headed to the capital to see the lighting of the tree and fireworks. We started walking back to our vehicles long before the fireworks were actually over--we were FREEZING! Greg wore all of his hunting clothes and mocked me for not wearing mine, don't tell him, but I probably should have listened to him. I don't know that my feet have ever been that cold-EVER! Sooze says there's lots more to do, but by the time all that was done I was ready to go! There's always next year, right?

Halloween

2008-11-15T12:59:00.003-05:00

Annabelle is notorious for wanting to be the strangest things for Halloween. Some of her costumes have included a cow with an udder, a purple monkey, and a pickle inside a banana peel. So, this year when i asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween I was not at all surprised when she responded, " a paper sack". A what? Yep, a paper sack, but not just any paper sack, a pink paper sack. I had no clue what to do so I called her dad. He was like don't worry we'll go shopping and get her a costume. Ok, no problem, one less thing I have to worry about right? Well needless to say Dane could not convince her to be something else so he and his wife (mostly his wife) made Annabelle a grocery sack. I have to say it was pretty stinking good and very original on Annie's part. You would not have believed all the comments she received about it. So, i guess that just goes to show me right?

Annabelle as a grocery sack!

Annabelle wearing Clark Kent's a.k.a Gabe's glasses!

Annabelle and Allison ready to be done!

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-29T22:31:00.007-04:00

First scoop

Annabelle's idea of carving pumpkins is to let Greg do all the work and then she takes credit for it! She's my kind of girl!!! Actually, she did manage to take out two scoops of guts before she said it was "disgusting and she absolutely was not putting her hand back in there". I don't know where she gets that from because I was not like that at all- seriously!

Annabelle watching!

Finished Product : )

Uncle John's Cider Mill

2008-10-29T22:19:00.004-04:00

We went to Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. Johns to celebrate Annabelle and Gabe's birthdays. There were a ton of people there. If you want all the details check out my sister-in-law, Susan's blog--she is much better at this then me!

This picture was taken at Annie's request. She looks very uncomfortable!

My favorite pic of the day!

Annabelle and her friend Ellie

Uncle Ky Ky and Alexa

2008-10-29T22:05:00.003-04:00

Annabelle's two favorite people!

Ear Piercing

2008-10-29T21:56:00.004-04:00

Annie's 6th Birthday present was getting her ears pierced. She has only been asking since she was 3! I guess it was time to do it....Before...all excited

After...trying to be brave :)

But really for as big of a girlie baby that she is, she did a FANTASTIC job. I was actually quite surprised at how little she cried.

My Beautiful Butterfly

2008-07-19T13:31:00.003-04:00

Cowboy

2008-07-19T13:19:00.005-04:00

Annabelle never ceases to amaze me. Yesterday we woke up to find that Ollie had chewed one of Annie's toys during the night. Oliver actually chewed off a half of her cowboy's leg. When she woke up I had the privilege of telling her about it. I thought she would be devastated. Well she surprised me. Instead of crying like normal, she asked if she could she him. I, of course, said sure and told her where he was. After looking at him, she said, "It's okay mama. I can still play with him, it's just half his leg. He's just handicapped now." or something to that effect. Hm...not bad for a five year old.

Fourth of July

2008-07-19T12:54:00.005-04:00

Annie and Graham

Greg, Graham, Annabelle, and I went to Central Lake to watch fireworks this year. Growing up the fireworks were always displayed out over the lake. A couple of years ago they, as in the firework people, decided to move the display to the football field. Let me just say, I love tradition and I am not okay with this move, but considering I'm a nobody in this decision it doesn't really matter what I think. Needless to say we weren't really that impressed with the fireworks this year. Annie of course thought they were great, but what kid doesn't? Although, she had more fun playing with Graham and Greg and running around with her sparklers.

Being Goofy with Graham!
(Please don't mind my ragamuffin child-she refused to let me do her hair!)

Future Cheerleader????
I HOPE NOT!!!

APPLES

2008-07-14T22:13:00.002-04:00

This past weekend we watched Greg's nephews, Gabe and Ben on Friday night/Saturday morning. Kevin and Allie were in one of Greg's cousins wedding so Gabe and Ben needed somewhere to be. Anyways, when I was getting dressed Saturday morning Ben and I had a very interesting conversation.
Ben: "Aaron you have a big belly."

Me: " Yep, it is bigger than your mommy's" (By the way whose isn't?)

Ben: "Yep and your APPLES are way bigger too." (giggling)

Me: "My what?!"

Ben: "You know those things" (pointing)

Me: "Yep Ben they are" (laughing) (By the way again, whose aren't?)

Just a side note that is the second child of Susan's that I have had that conversation with-just not in exactly those worlds. From the mouths of Babes!

Pirate's Cove

2008-07-14T21:57:00.003-04:00

On the day after the fourth of July we had to meet Dane in Kalkaska; so we decided to go up to the Traverse City area for the Fourth. We had wanted to go to Port Huron to be with my Dad's family, but that was in the complete wrong direction. We took Annabelle to Pirates Cove. Wow--did she ever surprise me. She has been begging to be able to go down a water slide. Lucky us they had two and she was tall enough. Greg decided that I should be the one to go with her. So, we bought 5 rides apiece and began our journey. After the very L-O-N-G walk up to the top Annabelle started to chicken out. I was like absolutely not, suck it up. What a nice loving Mom I am! She covered her eyes and screamed the whole way down. She decided she was done. Once again, Mom ruled and we started the trek again. By the fifth time she was screaming in fun and wanted to keep going! After the water slides we rode the bumper boats. Annie and I against Greggie. I'll give you one guess who dominated-Why Greg of course. He was able to trap us under this waterfall thingy-it was freezing. He of course thought it was great. We also go-karted Greg and Annie against me that time. Every time Greg even started to bump a little or try to pass me Annabelle scolded him to be nice to me. So, I guess I won by default because Greg wasn't really trying.

East Lansing Aquatic Center

2008-07-14T21:39:00.005-04:00

Wow-it's easy to get behind! I have so many posts to get caught up on. Over the summer I get three weeks off, the week right after school gets out, Fourth of July week and the week right before school starts. This year I tried to keep Annabelle pretty busy doing "Fun Stuff" that we don't usually get to do during the Fourth of July week. On Monday of that week we went to the East Lansing Aquatic Center. I really didn't want to go because of Annie's swimmer's ear and it was cloudy and cold that day, but I had promised. Lily was babysitting a couple of girls from the daycare. We'll call them "K" and "K". So we all went together. Annabelle was so excited to have them go along with us, and they were so excited that they got to "go to Ms. Cooke's house!" Annie was pretty bummed that she was just two inches too short to go on the water slides--not that I really think she would have done it. Overall we had a great time. I just wish the weather had been a little nicer ; )

Annie

"K" 1

"K" 2

Detroit Zoo

2008-07-01T22:45:00.004-04:00

Today we went on our annual trip to the Detroit Zoo with my Grandparent's. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day...the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky! We got a bit of a late start because I had to pick up Annie's ear drops before we could go (She has an ear infection and swimmer's ear). But despite that we had a great time. My Grandma fell up the stairs so she was a little sore and walking a little slow, but she insisted we still go. She didn't want to disappoint Annabelle--surprise surprise. They spoil her rotten! It's good though, that's what great-grandparent's are supposed to do! Annabelle and my Grandpa's favorite part was riding the train. That is something that they share-a love for trains. Annabelle also liked getting her picture taken with the animal statues-weird : ) My grandma was just glad to be with us. My favorite part was probably the penguins. They were the only active animal we really were able to see. I love monkeys, but they were all pretty lazy today! We finished our great trip by eating at National Coney Island-one of my college favorites, thanks to my friend Angie Collar Blackson!

Gone Fishin'

2008-06-26T21:18:00.004-04:00

Greg decided to go fishing tonight...lets just say it was a great way to finish a hard day at work! He caught this large mouth bass right off the beach in our swimming area. It's a beaut!

Pool Fun

2008-06-21T10:30:00.008-04:00

Allie, Annie and Gabe

Annabelle has been wanting to go swimming all week, but it was just too chilly. She got her little pool out on Monday hoping it would warm in the sun, no such luck. Bear and Ollie have appreciated drinking out of it though. Finally, it was warm enough yesterday to go. We called Grandma and Grandpa Bushnell so see if we could come over. Of course, they said yes. Susan brought her kid's over too. The water was absolutely freezing as the heater has been turned off, but it did not phase Annie at all. She loved it. I can tell she has had swimming lessons this winter. She is by no means a proficient swimmer, but she can go from one side to the other. If she would just put her face in the water, I think she would just take off, but she's a chicken. It's okay, it will come.

Annabelle and Gabe

Annabelle and Allie

Notice Annabelle is soaking wet in these photos and the Mayes children are not! Seriously, the water was freezing. Annie is just crazy!

Warming up!

It's Official!!!

2008-06-21T10:16:00.004-04:00

Greg and I decided to get married a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't have a ring yet--but NOW I DO! So, now I can blog about it. In fact everything for our wedding is already done, we have a church, pastors, hall, music, decorations, food, flowers, and invitations ordered--the ring was the very LAST thing. I know it was just a little backwards considering the ring is usually first.

When we got it Greg wasn't even going to give it to me--it was torture. We decided not to buy a wedding band so Greg's reasoning was that I shouldn't get the ring until we are actually married. He did say I could have it to wear to my wedding showers-gee thanks. Anyway, when we got home he took it and hid it. I had to literally beg to have it and then he made me play the "hot and cold" game to get it. He had hid it on top of the refrigerator. I would never have guessed to look there. Once I found it I told him he wasn't getting it back!

I'm including a not-very-good picture. It's a little tricky to take a good picture by yourself, at least for me :)

Open House

2008-06-17T06:19:00.007-04:00

Kyle's open house was Saturday. It was such a perfect day. My mom did an amazing job getting ready for it. She received tons of compliments on how great the garage looked and what a great idea to have a brunch. That was my idea, by the way, that I stole from Greg's aunt and uncle. I was really proud of Kyle. He hates to talk to people, especially people he doesn't know, but he made it. Susan brought the kid's out so Annabelle was ecstatic. She cannot wait for her best friend to be her cousin. In fact, I stole these adorable pictures from Susan's blog.

Electricity

2008-06-12T22:14:00.002-04:00

5 GREAT things about electricity:

1. I have Internet service.

2. I can flush the toilet with the handle instead of pouring pond water in the bowl!

3. I can take a shower without first making Greg turn on the tractor and generator.

4. I can flip a switch and there is light ( I had to remind Greg to turn the flashlight off)

5. Air-conditioning

Last Day!!!!!

2008-06-12T09:05:00.004-04:00

Annabelle is officially a kindergartner! She had a fantastic year in DK with Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Lewis. It is amazing how much she has learned in just one year. I cannot believe how fast it goes. Her last day was actually last Friday, but when you have been without power for 5 (yes, I said 5!) days, it's a little difficult to post it.

Randoms

2008-06-04T22:31:00.006-04:00

Giving a little 'tude

Getting all dolled up for the Daddy-Daughter dance!

Annabelle hard at work

Annie and Mama being silly :)

Annie taking a picture of herself at Graduation.

X-Country

2008-06-04T22:25:00.003-04:00

Tonight I found out the true meaning of cross country biking. Greg convinced me it would be fun to go on a bike ride around the property to exercise Ollie instead of walking, like I usually do. Let's just say I'm not in the greatest shape I've ever been in. After tonight there will be no more complaining about going on a bike ride on a road. We went around the hay field, through the woods, back up the hay field and then around the big pond. In reality it was maybe a mile, if I'm lucky, but it was one of the longest bike rides I have ever been on!

Graduation

2008-06-02T17:53:00.007-04:00

Kyle and his best friend, Donny Stiffler

Kyle has finally graduated from High School-yippee! There have been times over the last 13 years when I didn't think I would ever see the day. Kyle is one of those people who hates school-he has from the very first day. As far as he is concerned there are much better things to be doing then sitting in a classroom.

As far as graduations go, this one was pretty pathetic. When I was in school, the Valedictorian gave the senior address, granted my class didn't have 13 of them. ( We only had 3) Anyway, seniors now have to "try-out" to speak at their graduation regardless of how well they were liked, known, or the grades they received. The first speaker did a decent job-the second speaker made it obvious she pretty much didn't like anybody in her class, but didn't want any harm to come their way-WHAT??? Are kidding me? I hate you, but i don't want you to die because we were classmates? Not very impressive at all. And then to top it all off they ran out of diplomas-in the "S" 's. Pretty embarrassing if I don't mind saying so. Regardless, I'm just glad he made it!

Art Show

2008-05-31T21:50:00.003-04:00

On Wednesday, Williamston Elementary School held its 8th annual art show. Each student has one piece of art from throughout the school year displayed. Annabelle's piece is titled "Fruit Bowl Still Life". She was so fun to watch as she looked for her piece of and recognized her classmates artwork as well. She was very proud! I told her she did a wonderful job and that we would enter it into the Ingham County Fair, which we have done for the past couple of years.

UGH!!!

2008-05-28T09:12:00.003-04:00

as if having your child puke on you or in your bed is not bad enough, i now have the experience of having had my dog puke in my bed! let me just tell you, it's not a pretty sight! most of you are probably wondering why ollie was even in my bed--that would be greg's fault. he has taught ollie bad habits already! trust me it's not easy sharing a twin bed with a very large puppy. unfortunately, he is much stronger than me so even when i try to kick him out it doesn't work.
my mom in her great wisdom asked me why i didn't get ollie outside. i just looked at her dumbfounded. are you kidding me? my mom who freaks if there is a piece of lint on her carpet let alone dog puke! i was willing to sacrifice my comforter.
besides, if ollie had puked on her carpet she probably would have killed him considering he snagged her berber carpet yesterday right in the middle of the living room. yep, i was scared to tell her. there's no hiding it either. oops :) she forgave him though! he's too cute to be able to hold a grudge long.

Babies and Puppies

2008-05-26T09:44:00.003-04:00

I've decided puppies really aren't all that different from babies. Oliver's idea of sleeping through the night and my idea of sleeping through the night are entirely different. I was hoping to sleep in this morning, it being a holiday and all, but I had no such luck. Oliver's biological alarm went off bright and early at 6 am!!!

Oliver

2008-05-25T22:30:00.005-04:00

Today, we brought home a new addition to our family! Oliver is a 6 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. Even though he is technically still a puppy he already weighs 63 pounds and he is bigger than our 12 1/2 year old yellow lab. Greg's Aunt Laurie and Uncle Ron breed and raise these beautiful animals and we were lucky enough to get one. He originally went home with another family, but was returned. Greg has wanted one of these dogs for as long as I have known him.
Oliver spent the majority of time in a kennel and wasn't exactly acclimated to people--not that he was mean, just hyper. He has no listening skills and doesn't even know his name, so we figured it was as good a time as any to give him a new one. Aunt Laurie and Uncle Ron warned us not to expect much as far as manners go, but we have been pleasantly surprised.
He and Bear seem to get along great. Bear let him know right away this morning who was boss and there hasn't been any problems since.
Ollie treats Annabelle great too. When we visited Oliver, he licked Annie all over and she was a little nervous. He has not even attempted to lick her today. She was able to lead him on his leash without being dragged all over. She, of course, thought that was awesome.
Everyone, dogs included are pretty tuckered out. Kyle played chase with both Bear and Ollie. Annie, Greg and I have gone on numerous walks around the pond and hayfield. Every time I turn around Annabelle wants to take Oliver for a walk. Greg even ran with Oliver around the hayfield. Greg said he may have to go buy his first pair of tennis shoes in ten years--flip flops just weren't enough.
As much as I wanted Oliver too, I feel as though I have just added another 6 months of waiting to get married. What a bummer! This dog better be worth it :)